Teams Announced for Iowa State Fair Culinary Challenge

“We’re adding a few new twists to this competition. I’m very excited about the amount of interest we have had in this year’s challenge,” said Steph Ferguson, a special events coordinator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development.

Each team consists of three youth and at least one member must be in 4-H. The teams will compete in three age brackets. The junior level competition takes place Aug. 12, the intermediate level Aug. 13 and the senior level competition Aug. 14. All events will occur in the 4-H Exhibits Building.

Teams will demonstrate their knowledge of various kitchen items, from food to equipment, and show off their creativity in food preparation. The College of Human Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will provide $500 Iowa State University scholarships to the members of the winning senior team. Sponsors for the challenge include the Iowa Beef Industry Council, the Iowa Pork Producers Association and the Iowa Turkey Federation. Dahl’s Foods is an in-kind sponsor providing all produce for the challenges.

2012 Cook This! Teams

Iowa youth who completed grades five through 12 were eligible to apply for the competition. The following teams have been selected to participate in Cook This! at the Iowa State fair.